Discussion
Well I bought myself some new shoes and pedals for my road bike as I've entered myself into the Oulton Park Dauthlon this coming Sunday. The problem is I've been ill for the past 6 weeks so apart from not being able to train I've also haven't been able to try out the cleats. So basically come race-day I will be using them for the first time.
Luckily the distance isn't huge 21.6km but it will be a new experience. So I'm just after any advice that anyone may have. All I know is that I need to remember to clip out before stopping!
Luckily the distance isn't huge 21.6km but it will be a new experience. So I'm just after any advice that anyone may have. All I know is that I need to remember to clip out before stopping!
I wouldn't.
First of all the cleats will likely need adjusting a couple of times before you are full comfortable with the angles of your feet and placement fore/aft to ensure you don't get pain in toes or just below the ball of your foot.
Set them up as per manufacturers instructions and then do at least 2 x 10 mile rides to practice unclipping and working out if any adjustments are needed.
First of all the cleats will likely need adjusting a couple of times before you are full comfortable with the angles of your feet and placement fore/aft to ensure you don't get pain in toes or just below the ball of your foot.
Set them up as per manufacturers instructions and then do at least 2 x 10 mile rides to practice unclipping and working out if any adjustments are needed.
I know it's one of those 'Just don't do it rules' and I'm usually one supporting that rule but I'm going to have about 15 - 20 mins before travelling there to get it set-up right. I've been biking for years so I'm hoping that, although it will be a big change, it wont be a bad change.
If it really is that big of a change then I'll most probably stick with the toe clips.
If it really is that big of a change then I'll most probably stick with the toe clips.
Edited by andycambo on Monday 28th March 12:53
I don't know what these events are like or how crowded the roads are, but I'd have thought you'd be fine. Surely you'll set off, fumble for a few seconds getting clipped in and then that's the last of it until you cross the line and either unclip or fall over 
As long as they're adjusted to be comfortable, I'd rather that as a first ride than setting off from my front door, heading off through town with lights, junctions, round abouts, crossings etc. requiring lots of clipping and unclipping.
As long as they're adjusted to be comfortable, I'd rather that as a first ride than setting off from my front door, heading off through town with lights, junctions, round abouts, crossings etc. requiring lots of clipping and unclipping.
andycambo said:
I know it's one of those 'Just don't do it rules' and I'm usually one supporting that rule but I'm going to have about 15 - 20 mins before travelling there to get it set-up right.
That sounds like: thanks for the advice but I'd already made my mind up before starting the thread in the first place.Excuse copypasta:
Rule # 1-100 of things not to do prior to a bike race:
Never change anything, install a new part, adjust your position, swap tires, etc. the day before a race. If you are going to change anything before a race, you want to have ample time to ride the bike (2 or 3 rides ideally) before racing on the equipment. If you made a mistake, the stuff is faulty, the position is wrong, or whatever, your race ends pretty quickly.
itsnotarace said:
andycambo said:
I know it's one of those 'Just don't do it rules' and I'm usually one supporting that rule but I'm going to have about 15 - 20 mins before travelling there to get it set-up right.
That sounds like: thanks for the advice but I'd already made my mind up before starting the thread in the first place.Excuse copypasta:
Rule # 1-100 of things not to do prior to a bike race:
Never change anything, install a new part, adjust your position, swap tires, etc. the day before a race. If you are going to change anything before a race, you want to have ample time to ride the bike (2 or 3 rides ideally) before racing on the equipment. If you made a mistake, the stuff is faulty, the position is wrong, or whatever, your race ends pretty quickly.
My bike is housed at my parents so if I get a chance during the week I may pop down allow me to have 2 short rides (5 - 10km) before the big day.
As above it's at Oulton Park racetrack so it is fairly wide and as far as I have seen in videos it isn't too crowded, that's why I thought I might get away with it - having second thoughts though.
The event I'm entering is just a bit of a test for me. I'm not going to be setting any records I just want to get use to transitions and such so if I do fumble around a bit a loose some time it isn't the end of the world for me.
Presumably you'll only need to unclip once (in transition) so getting the fit and alignment right is a higher priority than toppling over if you can't get out ?
I seem to remember Oulton has plenty of gravel traps and run-off so as long as you miss the tyre barriers you'll be alright.
I seem to remember Oulton has plenty of gravel traps and run-off so as long as you miss the tyre barriers you'll be alright.
Yup, in theory I should only be clipping in and out once. I'll most probably try and unclip about 100m from the dismount point so that I can get some movement back into my legs for the running part so if I do have any problems I've got some time to work it out before crashing.
As mentioned a few times I think positioning is going to be the key to whether I feel comfortable or not. Any advice on fitting? Just do as mentioned above? Go with manufacture's recommendation and then adjust according? Will I even know what is right and wrong (is there a good feeling point)?
As mentioned a few times I think positioning is going to be the key to whether I feel comfortable or not. Any advice on fitting? Just do as mentioned above? Go with manufacture's recommendation and then adjust according? Will I even know what is right and wrong (is there a good feeling point)?
you will be absolutely fine, you only need two minutes before the race to adjust them so the level of tolerance is comfortable, that is the amount you have to twist to get your foot out. if they are clipless (roadie style) rather than SPDs, its a bit more of a wrench but its still not a major issue. dont worry about accidentally pulling them out, you will be in the saddle all the way and once into a natural pedalling motion, you will not put enough sideways effort into the stroke to make your foot slip out.
a lot of pros clip the shoes in first before the start and leave them undone, then at the first transition, just cycle away with your feet on top of the shoes. slide their foot in and tighten them up on the go.
its much easier than it sounds. then at the end of the ride, just loosen the shoes and leave them in the pedals at T2 to jump back into your trainers....
a lot of pros clip the shoes in first before the start and leave them undone, then at the first transition, just cycle away with your feet on top of the shoes. slide their foot in and tighten them up on the go.
its much easier than it sounds. then at the end of the ride, just loosen the shoes and leave them in the pedals at T2 to jump back into your trainers....
pablo said:
a lot of pros clip the shoes in first before the start and leave them undone, then at the first transition, just cycle away with your feet on top of the shoes. slide their foot in and tighten them up on the go.
its much easier than it sounds. then at the end of the ride, just loosen the shoes and leave them in the pedals at T2 to jump back into your trainers....
You bloody genius!!its much easier than it sounds. then at the end of the ride, just loosen the shoes and leave them in the pedals at T2 to jump back into your trainers....
andycambo said:
pablo said:
a lot of pros clip the shoes in first before the start and leave them undone, then at the first transition, just cycle away with your feet on top of the shoes. slide their foot in and tighten them up on the go.
its much easier than it sounds. then at the end of the ride, just loosen the shoes and leave them in the pedals at T2 to jump back into your trainers....
You bloody genius!!its much easier than it sounds. then at the end of the ride, just loosen the shoes and leave them in the pedals at T2 to jump back into your trainers....
OneDs said:
Be aware that pedals with shoes already on naturally hang upside down due to the weight, This is fine if you can do a running launch, or the ancient one footed cross-over step on a road bike with one foot in a shoe already, however it also needs practice, otherwise you'll find yourself running along with the road bike, then going arse over tit because you couldn't get either foot on a pedal/shoe or something else, before you ran out of fwd momentum and crashed into all the other competitors trying to get away from the transition at the same time and your shoe was dragging on the ground and interfering with the front wheel as you wobbled down the road.
If this does happen to you OP, can you let us know the Youtube link, or perhaps it'd be worth £250 
Anyway, good luck!
OneDs said:
Be aware that pedals with shoes already on naturally hang upside down due to the weight, This is fine if you can do a running launch, or the ancient one footed cross-over step on a road bike with one foot in a shoe already, however it also needs practice, otherwise you'll find yourself running along with the road bike, then going arse over tit because you couldn't get either foot on a pedal/shoe or something else, before you ran out of fwd momentum and crashed into all the other competitors trying to get away from the transition at the same time and your shoe was dragging on the ground and interfering with the front wheel as you wobbled down the road.
I wouldn't do this 
wheres that video of that triathlon where its a huge wipe out fest as everyone attempts that?Edit : ah here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRKajY5GlyI
Edited by shouldbworking on Monday 28th March 17:21
I'll make sure I get someone to record it!
I might go for the one shoe on, one shoe off combo. I can then clip my right foot in straight away and then get my left in once I've got momentum, if I do loose momentum then my right foot is already in so I can pick up some more speed..... I think I'm over complicating things now! lol
I might go for the one shoe on, one shoe off combo. I can then clip my right foot in straight away and then get my left in once I've got momentum, if I do loose momentum then my right foot is already in so I can pick up some more speed..... I think I'm over complicating things now! lol
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